Bank of India Raises Rs2,690 Crore through 10-Year Infrastructure Bonds at 7.50 Percent
Chandigarh, February 17, 2025: Bank of India, a leading Public Sector Bank, has raised 10 years Infrastructure Bonds of Rs.2,690 crore @ 7.50% p.a, today through NSE Electronic Bidding Platform. The Base Issue size was Rs.1,500 crore with Green Shoe option of Rs.3,500 crore. Bank received total of 94 bids amounting to Rs.8,845 crore, 5.90 times of the Base issue size. Bank accepted bids at cut-off coupon of 7.50% of Rs.2,690 crore. There were 26 successful bids.
The funds raised through Long Term Bonds will be used for funding long term projects in infrastructure sub-sectors and affordable housing in accordance with RBI guidelines. The funds raised by the Bank through this issue is not meant for financing any particular project.
Zaheer Khan and Family Make Rs. 11 Crore Real Estate Investment in Mumbai
Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, along with his wife, actress Sagarika Ghatge, and her brother, Shivjeet Ghatge, has purchased a luxury apartment in Lower Parel, Mumbai, for Rs. 11 crore, according to property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards on the website of the Inspector General of Registration (IGR). The transaction was registered in February 2025.
Lower Parel, one of Mumbai’s prime residential and commercial hubs, offers premium living spaces with seamless connectivity to business districts such as Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) and Nariman Point. Bollywood stars like Abhishek Bachchan, Shahid Kapoor, and writer Amish Tripathi, have also purchased properties in Lower Parel, as per Square Yards’ analysis of IGR property registration documents.
The property acquired by the trio is located in Indiabulls Sky, developed by Equinox India Developments Limited. As per RERA, it is a ready-to-move-in residential project spread across 3 acres, offering 3, 4, 5, and 6 BHK apartments. According to the IGR property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards, the apartment spans a carpet area of 2,158 sq. ft. (~200.47 sq. m) and a built-up area of 240.58 sq. m (~2,590 sq. ft.) and comes with three car parking spaces. The deal incurred a stamp duty payment of Rs. 66 lakh and a registration charge of Rs. 30,000.
According to Square Yards’ Project Data Intelligence, a total of 2 transactions amounting to a gross transaction value of Rs. 23 crore were registered with IGR in Indiabulls Sky between February 2024 and January 2025. Currently, the average resale property price in the project stands at Rs. 49,096 per sq. ft.
Zaheer Khan is a former Indian cricketer who represented the national team across all formats from 2000 to 2014. He was part of the Indian squad that shared the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy and played a crucial role in India’s victory at the 2011 Cricket World Cup. In recognition of his contributions to Indian sports, he was honored with the Arjuna Award, the country’s second-highest sporting accolade, in 2011. Zaheer announced his retirement from international and first-class cricket in October 2015. In 2017, he married Sagarika Ghatge, an Indian actress, model, and former national-level hockey player.
Team MRF Tyres Enters The British Rally Championship
James Williams & Max Mcrae To Lead MRF Challenge
Chennai, February 17, 2025: MRF, India’s No 1 Tyre Manufacturer, today announced their participation in the prestigious and highly competitive British Rally Championship 2025 and inclusion as official tyre suppliers for the 2025 season. Having dominated the European Rally Championships, Team MRF Tyres now seeks to extend their superiority in the UK. Leading the MRF challenge will be drivers James Williams and Max Mcrae.
The decision to participate in the BRC 2025 underscores MRF’s commitment to showcasing the capabilities of Indian engineering and manufacturing on the international stage. With a rich heritage in the Motorsport Tyres and a reputation for producing high-performance tyres, the company is poised to make a significant impact in the world of rallying.
“We are excited to take on this new challenge and represent India on the global motorsports platform,” said Arun Mammen Vice Chairman & Managing Director of MRF. “The British Rally Championship is a prestigious event that attracts the best drivers and teams from around the world. Our participation in this event will not only demonstrate the quality of our products but also inspire Indian motorsports enthusiasts and foster a sense of national pride. We are confident that our tyres will perform exceptionally well in the BRC 2025. Our engineers have been working closely with rally experts to develop the right products that can withstand the rigors of the sport and provide our drivers with the necessary grip and stability to compete at the highest level.”
The two professional drivers will leverage the company’s extensive research and development capabilities to develop tyres that are specifically tailored for the demanding conditions in the nine round event throughout the year in 2025. The first round of the 2025 season gets underway in Beverley- East Yorkshire UK ,at the East Riding Stages Rally on 23 February
TEAM MRF Tyres are winners in the FIA European Rally Championship in 2022 and 2023. Dominating the Italian Gravel Rally Championship for 4 years in a row, MRF tyres has also succeeded in Norway and Latvia IN January 2025 with the Snow Tyres. Brand MRF is already a tyre of choice in Hi performance rallies in Australia , New Zealand and South America. The company’s commitment to developing high-performance tyres has been evident through its participation and successes in various national and international championships.
Profile – James Williams, is a Professional Rally Driver. In 2015 he was adjudged as the UK young driver of the year. And from then on he has had good success in various championships. He was the winner of the Rally Isle of Man in 2024 and the Goodwood Festival of Speed winner in the same year. Apart from Rally driving, he is also a brand ambassador and public speaker.
Profile – Max Mcrae UK based Max McRae is excited by his first full British Rally Championship campaign. The 20-year-old Scot tackled four BRC rounds last season, but will step-up to the full six-event calendar in 2025. He closed out last year on the highest possible note, with fastest time on the final stage of the season-closing Cambrian Rallly. Max comes from a family with a rich history in rallying. With eight British titles to the McRae name already (five for Jimmy, two for Uncle Colin and one for father Alister), Max is well aware of the weight of expectation. Much as Max is keen to continue in that same vein, he’s realistic about his experience of – and the competition in – the premier British series. Of the four events he started in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 last season, he finished three of them comfortably in the top-10, including a fine fourth on the Cambrian.
Herbalife India Partners with Rising Cricket Star Yashasvi Jaiswal
Bangalore, 17 February 2025: Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company, community, and platform, proudly announces its partnership with rising cricket star Yashasvi Jaiswal. This collaboration amplifies Herbalife India’s commitment to enhancing athletic performance through premium sports nutrition in India.
Over the years, Herbalife has been a steadfast supporter of top athletes, providing them with the nutritional tools necessary to achieve remarkable success. The partnership with Jaiswal highlights Herbalife’s belief in the power of sports to promote health and community engagement.
Jaiswal’s inspiring journey from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to the Indian national cricket team is a testament to his resilience and dedication. Starting his cricketing career at just ten years old, he has faced numerous challenges, making him a role model for aspiring athletes. This partnership reflects a shared vision of using sports to encourage well-being and inspire positive change.
Ajay Khanna, Managing Director, Herbalife India, said, “We are excited to partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who truly represents hard work and excellence. His journey shows the determination we value at Herbalife. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in India, this journey reflects our growth and success in empowering athletes through proper nutrition. We believe that our science-backed products and expert support are essential for athletes to perform at their best. Together with Yashasvi, we aim to inspire young athletes across India to pursue their dreams and prioritize their health.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal said, ” I am excited to be part of Herbalife’s nutrition and wellness journey. Access to proper nutrition is key for helping athletes maintain peak performance and endurance, and I am thrilled to partner with Herbalife. They not only provide nutritional support but also promote overall well-being.
Herbalife sponsors over 150 athletes, teams, and leagues across the globe, supporting them with quality sports nutrition products at all stages of their training and competing. In India, Herbalife continues to support cricket and non-cricket athletes like Smriti Mandhana, Lakshya Sen, Manika Batra, Mary Kom and Palak Kohli. Herbalife has supported major teams and sporting events, including the Official Nutrition Partnership with Team India for the Summer Olympics in 2016, 2021, and 2024, the Commonwealth Games in 2022, and Special Olympics Bharat in 2023. Additionally, Herbalife was the Official Nutrition Partner for 7 Pro Kabaddi Teams in Season 8 and has been the Official Presenting Sponsor of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa since 2022, among other partnerships.
HP unveils high-performance Victus Laptop with AI Enhancements in India
New Delhi, February 17, 2025 — HP today announced the launch of its latest Victus 15 laptop in India. This laptop is designed to push the boundaries of gaming performance with AI enhancements. Featuring the latest AMD Ryzen 9 Hawkpoint 8945HS NPU processor, the HP Victus 15 is set to deliver unparalleled speed, efficiency, and adaptive intelligence to optimize gaming experiences in real time. In a bid to offer more value to gamers, HP is providing a 3-month free Xbox Game Pass, giving consumers an access to a vast library of games and allowing them to explore new titles without additional cost.
The AI enhancements of the HP Victus 15 work seamlessly to improve game rendering, enhance frame rates, and reduce latency, ensuring smoother gameplay and immersive visuals. The latest 8000 series AMD processors provide gamers with an improved and uninterrupted gameplay experience by utilizing advanced AI-powered optimization techniques. These processors intelligently allocate system resources, adapt to real-time game demands, and enhance performance without compromising efficiency. Whether tackling graphically intense battle sequences or streaming high-resolution content, the AI-driven technology ensures seamless transitions, reduced lag, and heightened responsiveness for an immersive gaming session. With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB graphics, gamers can experience ray tracing and AI-powered enhancements like DLSS for ultra-realistic gameplay.
“At HP, our commitment is to deliver the best experience to our customers. The HP Victus 15 laptop is set to redefine gaming experiences with its powerful AI capabilities, superior graphics, and improved thermal management for elevated gameplay. Whether casual or competitive, gamers can expect a seamless, powerful, and immersive journey with this next-gen AI gaming laptop,” said Vineet Gehani – Senior Director, Personal Systems, HP India.
Beyond gaming, HP Victus 15 laptop also caters to the productivity needs. It comes preloaded with Microsoft Office 2024, offering users an enhanced work experience with improved accessibility tools and seamless multitasking. Additionally, HP is providing a 1-year free subscription to Microsoft 365 (M365), enabling users to leverage cloud-based productivity tools and collaboration features.
HP Victus 15: High-Performance Productivity
- Chill Out: HP Victus 15 now features HP’s robust OMEN Tempest Cooling solution as well as an IR thermopile sensor to accurately manage temperatures.
- Personalization: For added personalization, HP Victus 15 comes with upgradeable 16GB DDR5 RAM, allowing gamers to scale their system based on their evolving needs.
- High-refresh rate: The laptop also includes a high-refresh-rate 144Hz Full HD anti-glare display, reducing motion blur and image ghosting to deliver ultra-smooth gameplay.
- Anti-glare Panel: The HP Victus 15 comes with an anti-glare 300 nits panel. Non-reflective and low gloss helps with less glare while gaming outdoors.
- Micro Edge Display: By squeezing a larger screen into a smaller frame, the ultra-thin, barely visible bezel in HP Victus 15 revolutionizes your flicker-free display’s appearance with an efficient design.
- Seamless productivity: Weighing 2.29kg, the HP Victus 15 comes with a full-size, backlit keyboard with a numeric keypad.
- Peace of Mind: With 70WHR battery backup, this gaming PC is crafted for long usage.
A Taste of the East Meghalaya
New Delhi, February 2025: The newly reopened Chor Bizarre at Asaf Ali Road serves regional Indian cuisine and authentic signature Kashmiri dishes in a setting that is unabashedly Indian. Originally debuting in 1990 as India’s first theme restaurant, Chor Bizarre gained iconic status with its unique ‘thieves market’ ambience and authentic regional Indian cuisine.
It is especially known across the world for its Kashmiri dishes and was the first to bring the Kashmiri Wazwan as well as other delicacies from Kashmiri pandit cuisine, out of the valley. Chor Bizarre has taken its pop-ups across the country and the world. However, the restaurant has always been proud of the ever-changing regional favourites too on its menu.
Chor Bizarre recently hosted a pop up of Mangalorean cuisine by Chef Shriya Shetty. Prior to that, it showcased Odia cuisine by actor-filmmaker Nandita Das. Last year, it also held a pop-up featuring Purani Dilli cuisine as well as brought its sister restaurant, Hosa from Goa, for a pop-up to New Delhi. A recent pop up featured 40 dishes from the Kashmiri Wazwan for its regulars, while the latest pop up celebrated Ladakhi cuisine in collaboration with Stok Palace, Leh.
Starting February 28th, Chor Bizarre will host a pop-up by Chef Nambie Jessica Marak, a tribal chef from Meghalaya, showcasing the unique flavors of the region’s cuisine in collaboration with Soul On A Plate. This collaboration will highlight the state’s rich culinary traditions and sustainable farming practices, offering an authentic taste of Meghalaya’s bold and culturally significant dishes and elevating the lesser-known cuisine of Meghalaya. This is a rare opportunity for guests to explore the vibrant food culture of the region, crafted by a native expert.
Says Chef Nambie Jessica Marak, “The food culture here is as rich as its landscapes, yet it’s often overlooked. By sharing these flavours, I hope to open doors for others to experience what I’ve discovered—the simplicity and depth of a cuisine that’s both wholesome and bold.”
Meghalaya’s cuisine is a fascinating blend of bold, earthy flavors, rooted in the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Dishes like Pork with Pumpkin Curry, Bamboo Shoot Dal and Chicken with Roselle Powder reflect the state’s deep cultural heritage and traditional cooking methods. Each dish tells a story of Meghalaya’s diverse landscapes and the people who have perfected these recipes over generations. From the rich, smoky flavors of meats to the tangy kick of fermented ingredients, Meghalaya’s food offers a unique culinary experience that’s as heartwarming as it is flavorful.
Meghalaya’s cuisine is also shaped by its diverse tribal cultures, each with its own distinct cooking techniques and flavors. Ingredients like wild herbs, local greens, and indigenous spices are often used to create simple yet bold dishes that are packed with flavor. The state’s culinary practices emphasize sustainability, with many ingredients being foraged or grown using traditional farming methods. This connection to the land and its people adds a layer of authenticity to every dish, offering not just a meal, but a deeper understanding of Meghalaya’s cultural fabric and way of life.
Says Chef Srinivas, Brand Chef of Chor Bizarre: “We are absolutely delighted to introduce Meghalayan cuisine to our guests in New Delhi. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to explore a culinary tradition that is truly distinct. The flavors, unlike anything we’ve traditionally encountered in this part of India, promises to surprise and delight.”
Details:
Date & Time: February 28th, March 1st, & 2nd
Lunch: 12pm & 2pm | Dinner: 7pm & 9:30pm
Society Tea Launches New TVC for Spice Secrets Guzre Dinon Ko Thoda Sa Chakh Lo
India, 17th January 2025 – Society Tea has unveiled its latest TV commercial (TVC), Spice Secrets – Guzre Dinon Ko Thoda Sa Chakh Lo. This nostalgic campaign takes viewers on a journey back to the cherished moments of their childhood and focuses on the emotional connection between food and memories, highlighting the comforting flavours of pickles that remind us of home.
Pickles have always been more than just a side dish—they carry the love and traditions of generations. Through this TVC, Society Tea celebrates the simplicity and joy of reliving the past, where every bite of pickles connects us to the warmth of home-cooked meals and cherished family memories.
Talking about the latest TVC, Karan Shah, Director of Society Tea, said, “Spice Secrets is all about reconnecting with the flavors that define home and childhood. With this TVC, we wanted to evoke a sense of nostalgia and remind everyone of the simple joys that food brings, especially something as special as pickles. We hope this TVC resonates with people and brings a smile to their faces.”
The TVC has been released on Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and YouTube, reaching audiences across digital platforms. It aims to connect with viewers emotionally and remind them of the irreplaceable magic of home-cooked flavors.
Ambuja Cements Empowers Rural Women in Bhatapara with Lakhpati Didi
Chhattisgarh, 17 February 2025: Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is driving economic empowerment among rural women in Bhatapara, through the transformative ‘Lakhpati Didi’ programme. By fostering micro-enterprises and offering extensive support in training and resources, the Company’s CSR initiatives are helping women achieve financial independence and sustainable livelihoods.
The ‘Lakhpati Didi’ movement, initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development, aims to enable women in self-help groups (SHGs) to earn an annual household income of ₹1 lakh or more. Ambuja Cements’ CSR team identified 188 women from Bhatapara for this program and provided them with the necessary tools and training to achieve this milestone. Many women have successfully ventured into enterprises like tailoring, vegetable cultivation, and retail stores, significantly improving their quality of life and inspiring their communities.
This initiative has enabled women like Kuleshwari Verma, a fancy store owner earning ₹3.75 lakh annually, and Kusum Patel, who cultivates vegetables and earns ₹1.1 lakh per year, to achieve transformative financial growth. Stories like theirs highlight how access to resources and consistent support can unlock the entrepreneurial potential of rural women.
Ambuja Cements remains committed to promoting inclusive development and sustainable livelihoods through its CSR initiatives. By supporting rural women entrepreneurs, the company underscores its dedication to economic empowerment and long-term community growth.
Startup Mahakumbh Returns with Largest Global Gathering of Innovators
New Delhi, February 17, 2025: Registration is now open for the highly anticipated second edition of Startup Mahakumbh, the world’s largest startup event, set to take place from April 3 to 5, 2025. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this year’s event will spotlight India’s growing leadership in global innovation and entrepreneurship. With industry leaders such as Aman Gupta, Co-Founder & CMO, boAt Lifestyle, Peyush Bansal, CEO & Co-Founder, Lenskart, Padma Shri Prsahant Prakash, Founding Partner at Accel Ventures, Nithin Kamath, Founder & CEO, Zerodha Investments, among other notable CXOs already part of the organizing committee, Startup Mahakumbh promises to be a game-changing platform driving collaboration and empowering entrepreneurs to build the future of the startup ecosystem.
With over 3,000 startups, 500+ investors, and industry leaders from 50+ countries, the event will create unparalleled opportunities for networking, collaboration, and growth. The event will feature cutting-edge technologies across industries and a variety of activities, including, knowledge tracks on funding, scaling, and technological advancements, and networking zones for collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors.
The event will offer attendees a range of activities, from high-impact pitching sessions to thought-provoking workshops and discussions on the latest industry trends. Startups looking to exhibit their innovations can register for Startup Pods, which are available for both Indian and international participants. Indian startups can secure a Startup Pod for INR 30,000 per pod, which includes two complimentary delegate registrations and a listing in the event’s e-directory. For international startups, the cost is USD 375 per pod, with the same entitlements.
Additionally, Attendees can also avail Gold and Silver Delegate Passes, each with exclusive benefits. For Indian participants, the Gold Pass (INR 12,000) includes priority registration, delegate kit, premium seating, event access, breakout sessions, VIP lunch for 2 days, access to the Gold Lounge for networking, and the B2B portal. The Silver Pass (INR 5,000) offers standard registration, delegate kit, event access, breakout sessions, complimentary lunch for 2 days, and access to the B2B portal. For international participants, the Gold Pass is for USD 150, and the Silver Pass is for USD 60, with similar benefits as the Indian passes. The first 300 Gold and 500 Silver registrations are eligible for these offers.
Archana Jahagirdar, Founder & Managing Partner at Rukam Capital, expressed, “It is more than just an event; it’s a catalyst for change. This year, the focus on emerging sectors and innovative technologies will create new opportunities for entrepreneurs to bring transformative solutions to the forefront, helping India solidify its position as a global startup hub.”
Hidden images in Jackson Pollock paintings diagnosed
17 February 2025- According to new research published by leading psychiatry professor, Stephen M. Stahl, artist Jackson Pollock clearly incorporated images (coined ‘Polloglyphs’ by his co-author John Gates) into his pre-drip paintings and repeatedly used the same images in multiple drip paintings, potentially as a result of “extraordinary” spatial skills related to his bipolar disorder. These findings appear in a research paper by Professor Stahl, published in Cambridge University Press journal CNS Spectrums.
The paper emphasises that Pollock met the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder; that he didn’t paint when he was intoxicated or depressed; and that he both had extensive exposure to Rorschach ink blots during his psychiatric treatment and had visual images and hallucinations of images.
Dr Stahl, currently a professor at the University of California, Riverside and San Diego, argues that Pollock either consciously or unconsciously encrypted images in his paintings to tell a story.
“Certain images make their way repeatedly into his paintings – including booze bottles, images of himself, monkeys, clowns, elephants and more. We consequently have good reason to believe Pollock encrypted these images into his paintings, whether consciously or otherwise.
“His remarkable ability to hide these images in plain sight may have been part of his creative genius, and could also have been enhanced by the endowment of extraordinary visual spatial skills that have been described in some bipolar patients.”
Although Pollock was variably diagnosed by his psychiatrists as having “alcoholic psychosis,” being “schizoid”, or possessing “a schizophrenia-like disorder characterised by alternating periods of violent agitation and paralysis or withdrawal”, in today’s world he would more likely be diagnosed as bipolar. Chronic and severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder can be associated with creativity and genius, with good outcomes possible especially with effective treatment.
Seeing images in Pollock’s drip paintings has been both a popular pastime and a controversy ever since these paintings were created. Some art critics argue emphasise the formal elements of Pollock’s work, arguing that no images are present and that viewers can find whatever they are looking for within the paintings’ abstract lines and composition. This line of reasoning suggests that perhaps Pollock’s paintings merely prompt viewers to project their own emotions onto these works, and that no actual images are hidden between the lines.
Co-author Jon Gates, a longtime Pollock aficionado, however, says: “Seeing an image once in a drip painting could be random; seeing the same image twice in different paintings could be a coincidence; seeing it three or more times – as is the case for booze bottles, monkeys and gorillas, elephants, and many other subjects and objects in Pollock’s paintings – makes those images very unlikely to be randomly provoked perceptions without any basis in reality.”